To the editor:
On March 20, 2017, more than two dozen Aroostook County residents made the trek to Augusta to testify before a day-long hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee in opposition to the administration-sponsored weakened rules for metal mining, the third attempt in three years.
As with multiple hearings over these past legislative sessions, opponents of weak mining rules have far outnumbered those in favor, in one hearing the ratio was 401:2. Last week the county folks were joined by approximately 70 strong, passionate voices from all over the state. There were only two speakers in support of the weakened rules; Bob Dorsey, president of Aroostook Partners, and Robert Marvinney, state geologist. Marvinney, in earlier published comments, however, stated that he was “… not sure whether Bald Mountain can be mined safely …” (Anthony Brino, Star-Herald, 12-7-16).
Since May 3, 2012, when J.D. Irving rolled out his plan for an open-pit mine on Bald Mountain, I have been researching this topic; attending informational forums and testifying before government boards. Initially, I thought mining might be an answer to the economic woes of our area. My research has, however, only exacerbated my fears. Mining is one of the dirtiest industries in the world, and the environmental track record of mining companies is dismal. Mining in areas of high sulfide deposits and arsenic concentrations, such as those present at Bald Mountain, would endanger sustainable economic activity, wildlife habitat and quality of life.
I am also concerned about inflated claims of mine-related jobs. There is no promised job that would be worth the destruction of Aroostook County as we know it. The Aroostook Partnership is promoting mining at Bald Mountain as a local economic panacea, touting 280—700 connected jobs without specifics and sourcing. There is a good chance that any high-tech, high-paying jobs will go to those out of state or country, not to our Aroostook County family, friends and neighbors.
Jon Gulliver, Partnership director of investor and community relations, in published comments recently said that modern technology would protect the environment, and then made the ridiculous comment that “… that if mining can’t be done safely, it could be shut down any time along the way.” (Christopher Bouchard, Star-Herald, 2-22-17).
Perhaps he should investigate the Mount Polley mine disaster in British Columbia, August 4, 2014. Despite state-of-the-art modern technology, a tailings dam failed, causing 24 million cubic meters of mine waste, including tons of arsenic and heavy metals to destroy the surrounding watershed. I challenge Gulliver to view this devastation and then rethink his earlier comment, that for Aroostook County business, “Mining looks pretty good.”
I am persuaded that open-pit mining cannot be done at Bald Mountain without substantial and unquantifiable risk to water quality and wildlife habitat. I also support a total ban on open-pit mining in any area of the state presenting the geologic and climatic conditions found at Bald Mountain. It is just too risky.
Gail Maynard
Woodland
